Reading took eight trialists to St George’s Park last week, all of which culminated with a 2-0 warm-up defeat to European giants Benfica.

Names such as Connor Wickham, Grant Ward and Josh Murphy were revealed on Saturday afternoon, with seven of them taking part in the friendly later that day.

READ MORE: Reading FC with eight trialists ahead of Benfica friendly

Below, all of those who took part have been rated as manager Paul Ince was no doubt considering which ones, if any, were worth taking on as a full-time squad member ahead of the beginning of the Championship season in three weeks.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

Julian Jeanvier- 7

The former Brentford defender was released by the Bees at the end of the season and has been with the Royals all week. A Guinea international, the centre-back started alongside Tom Holmes in the friendly and looked comfortable and composed. Barring one comical moment, in which midfielder Tom Ince pointed out that the two defenders were marking the same space, the pairing were dominant in the air and strong in the tackle- helping the team to a half-time clean sheet. A more difficult second period saw the two goals let in, however Jeanvier was in a back four made up of youngsters and out of position players- with Dejan Tetek filling in on the right and Kelvin Abrefa on the left. Coming off with 20 minutes to go, the 30-year-old impressed in defeat.

Sam Hutchinson- 7

Another with Championship pedigree, 32-year-old Hutchinson has more than 200 appearances in the game to his name, the vast majority in the second tier with Sheffield Wednesday. Starting in midfield alongside Ince, he took no prisoners. Flying into challenges left, right and centre, the holding player marshalled his zone and was constantly shouting encouragement at the group around him. Dropping back into centre-back for the second period, and given the captains armband after Andy Yiadom’s substitution, he continued to be loud and domineering, but the team struggled as a whole in the second period due to the group being made up of trialists and Academy graduates. Another, like Jeanvier, who many of the fans would have no issues with signing permanently.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

Jacob Davenport- 6

Playing all of the second half, the former Blackburn Rovers midfield was energy personified. Full of hustle and bustle, like most of the team in the second period they just missed the cutting edge when it mattered. A half dominated by the hosts, much of the game was spent chasing the ball back, chasing shadows. His drive and attitude impressed some of the supporters on social media, however there is a feeling that more needs to be seen of his ability on the ball. No qualms with effort, need to see more to determine quality.

Grant Ward- 6

Similar to Davenport, the midfield struggled in the second half against Benfica as most of the match was spent chasing the ball and closing off passing angles. Someone who has struggled with injury in his career, Ward looked athletic and comfortable when on the ball.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

Jodi Jones- 5

Another with injury problems in the past, former Coventry City winger Jones had a tough game. The majority of the game appeared to be played on the left, the opposite side to the 24-year-old, and so he saw little of the ball. Showing flashes of speed on occasion, and still only young, if he can shake off the setbacks, he could be a solid pick-up on a free. Needs more game time and to see more of the ball for a stronger judgement.

Josh Murphy- 6

The former Norwich City and Cardiff City winger arrives with almost 300 appearances under his belt, with all except 13 in the Championship. Coming on in the first half for Yakou Meite, the 27-year-old saw more of the ball than most in the second half. Despite being an attacking player, most of the game was spent tracking back and helping Abrefa, the teenager who was playing on the opposite side to usual. As with most who played, it would be harsh to judge someone on that performance alone, but he arrives with decent pedigree and second tier experience. Could be a good pick-up if Ince is inclined to take it further.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

Connor Wickham- 5

The most difficult to judge, the centre-forward can’t have had more than 25 touches throughout his 45 minutes on the pitch. Isolated and hardly ever unleashed, the 29-year-old spent most of the half closing down defenders. Attitude could not be faulted, with a real hunger and aggression in his attempts to win the ball back, but the second half on Saturday was not a match for Wickham to impress.